THEA

My name is Thea and I am a mixed breed dog.

I was one of those who was rescued from the front line in the Kherson region during a strong drone attack. On this rescue mission, I was found on a completely destroyed farm. I don’t quite remember how I ended up there, but what I remember for sure is that I was trying to hide from the drones, the sound of which I already know very well, and the fear that comes after it too.

Before all this horror, I had a loving family and home, but when the tanks came, my family disappeared, and I was left all alone. I waited for my rescue for a long time, running around in the wreckage, between the missiles, often hiding wherever I could. At some point, I was so tired that I stopped feeling absolutely everything, only the smell of burning and ash followed me everywhere.

But on the day of my rescue, on that destroyed farm, I saw her — a girl in a helmet, a bulletproof vest, and with very kind eyes. She ran up to me and I don’t know why, but despite my fear, I was glad to see her. Maybe I just felt that I could finally trust someone again. She carefully picked me up in her arms. I felt her heart beating fast and her hands shaking slightly. She whispered in my ear: “We can do it!” And yes, we were able to escape from the drone almost unharmed. I’ve never seen anything like it, but this girl covered me with her body from the shrapnel and one shrapnel hit her hand. I was very scared for her, but in the end everything worked out. Already in the car we were running to, there were other dogs like me. One of them became my best friend. And the girl... I have never seen people braver than her. After that day I don't look back, I left all the bad things that happened to me in that destroyed farm, somewhere between pieces of metal and broken glass.

Now in the shelter I feel good again. I really love the company of other dogs, playing, running and just relaxing catching the sun's rays. I have a very unusual lower jaw, and everyone often talks about it, but it doesn't bother me at all, I know that this is my peculiarity. I love that I've finally returned to a quiet life, but having a loving family and a forever home is my biggest dream.